If you’ve been shopping around for a new air purifier, you will no doubt have come across the brand Levoit.
Having emerged on the scene in 2017, they’ve become one of the most popular manufacturers on the market, with an array of air purifiers to suit different needs and budgets.
Levoit’s Core line has sold millions of units thanks to impressive performance and low prices. It all began with the immensely popular Core 300 model in 2019 and has since expanded to provide purifiers to different-sized spaces using Levoits signature technology such as VortexAir™, QuietKEAP™ and AIRSIGHT™.
The latest addition is the Core 600S, the largest and most powerful unit in the range, designed to clear all contaminants in spaces as large as 635 sq ft. This purifier has plenty of smart features to help clean the air, all while remaining a cost-effective option for consumers.
- In our home lab of 728 cubic feet, we light an incense stick to generate particle pollution and VOCs.
- We set up our trusted Purpleair Indoor Sensor with the latest Bosch gas sensor to track levels of PM1ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10ug/m3 and VOCs in the air.
- We switch the air purifier to its highest speed and measure how long it takes to get our room air quality down to PM1 level to 0.
- We use an energy meter to measure precisely how much electricity is used when running the unit at the lowest and highest fan speed settings.
- We track sound levels emitted by the air purifier at different fan speeds with the help of a commercial sound meter.
Intro out of the way, let’s get on with this review, shall we?
The lowdown on the Levoit Core 600S
Looking for the highlights? Here are my key findings from reviewing the Levoit Core 600S
What we really like
What we think could be better
The specs
The Core 600S retails for $299.99, with its colossal CADR of 410 CFM, which equates to just 73 cents per CADR. In comparison, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is currently on sale for $211.49 with a CADR of 350 CFM, while the Smart Air Blast Mini costs $599.99, delivering 435 CFM.
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | 3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses) |
| Recommended room size: | 635 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 410 CFM (697 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away): | Speed 1: 40.9 dB Speed 2: 45.9 dB Speed 3: 61.4 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour): | Standby mode: 1.53 kWh Speed 1: 7.92 kWh Speed 2: 11.35 kWh Speed 3: 21.15 kWh Speed 4: 49.27 kWh |
| Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements): | $107.29 per year |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
Powerful performance doesn’t come in small packages
The 600S has impressive features and a design that blends easily into the home.
The 600S is exactly what you’d expect an air purifier to look like. It’s a simple white appliance with a tall, boxy design.
Compared to other air purifiers, it may seem a little bland when placed next to the Blue Pure 211+ or Levoit’s more premium EverestAir.
But this paired back design is shared by its siblings in the Core range, which are hugely popular amongst millions of households, with many appreciating the neutral aesthetic.
It’s worth noting that this is a large unit, but that is to be expected for such a powerful purifier. Despite its size, it remains relatively lightweight, so isn’t too tricky to move around the home.
A sleek-looking control panel makes the 600S easy to use, with intuitive capacitive icons to cycle through the settings.
The icons include an on/off button, a filter replacement indicator, a fan to switch between the 3-speed settings and a padlock to lock the controls.
Where things get interesting is in the 600S additional features. Here, you can set a timer between 1 and 24 hours, activate the ultra quiet and light-free sleep mode, or utilize the Auto function, which monitors your space’s air quality and adjusts the settings automatically.
This has proved to be very useful as it allows you to sit back and relax while the unit does all the heavy lifting. It works by using an AirSight sensor, which is impressively accurate and even relays real-time data back to you through the PM2.5 digital display and color-coded rings on the unit or directly to the VeSync app.
| Air Quality Indicator Chart | |||
| Indicator Color | Air Quality | Auto Mode Fan Speed | PM2.5 Range |
| Blue | Very Good | Sleep Mode | 0-35 ug/m³ |
| Green | Good | Low | 36-75 ug/m³ |
| Orange | Moderate | Medium | 76-115 ug/m³ |
| Red | Bad | High | >115 ug/m³ |
I found the app easy to install on both Android and IOS devices and straightforward to use.
Once you’ve connected your device (requiring a wifi connection and close proximity), you can then program your purifier remotely. This allows you to adjust settings, set timers and schedules or just check in on the space’s air quality readings while you’re out and about.
Through the app you can also input data on the room you’re using the purifier in. This allows for a tailor-made Auto setting that calculates the precise time to complete an air change in the space and can make your unit run much more efficiently.
Big filters to capture the smallest particles
Levoit’s 3-in-1 filter effectively removes minuscule particulates and VOCs.
The Core 600S uses a 3-in-1 filter that combines a pre-filter (a), primary filter (b) and activated carbon filter (c) to combat the wide range of pollutants in the home.
The pre-filter captures large particles, such as hair or dust, which helps prolong the primary filter’s lifespan. Levoit recommends cleaning the pre-filter using a vacuum cleaner every 2-4 weeks. However, I found it slightly annoying to remove the particle build-up due to the cylindrical design which doesn’t detach from the main filter.
The primary filter is the lynchpin of your air purifier. This removes the smallest PM1 particles, such as fine dust, smoke and allergens.
When the Core 600S was first released, this primary filter was advertised as meeting the H13 HEPA standard. Following a complaint by Dyson, this terminology has since been removed, leaving question marks over the quality of the filter.
Although this is a fair concern for any consumer, when we tested the filter for ourselves, we found it quickly removed minuscule particles, which certainly put our minds at ease.
We are also happy to confirm that its marketed CADR score matched up with the lab results from AHAM. You can see its full report on Energystar.gov, but it had the following CADR scores based on the AHAM/ANSI AC-1-2002 test procedure based on how fast the device removed pollen, dust and smoke:
| Smoke CADR | 377 cfm |
| Dust CADR | 373 cfm |
| Pollen CADR | 437 cfm |
Finally, the carbon filter is designed to remove odor and VOCs from your space. To do so, it needs lots of carbon substrate to lock in gaseous particles. The standard filter included with the 600S contains 160g of carbon, which isn’t a huge amount considering the size of the filter itself.
You can upgrade this filter to the Pet, Toxin or Smoke option, each containing 360g of carbon that will be much more effective against household odors, but these quantities are still lower than what you’ll find on the 400S or EverestAir.
The warning covers 900 toxins and carcinogens that, if exposed to, can result in adverse health effects.
The 1986 act now covers any goods sold in California, which has enforced labels on everything from bread to bikinis and even Starbucks coffee.
Regarding the 600S, and air purifiers in general, the warning usually relates to the electrical components inside, with solder known to contain chromium and circuit boards often found to contain lead. These are trace amounts and won’t pose any danger through normal use.
The Core 600S is FCC-compliant and CARB-certified to ensure it meets the health and safety standards both Federally and in the State of California.
Installing and replacing the filter on the Core 600S couldn’t be easier. Simply twist the body of the unit and slot in the filter with the tabs facing up. Check out our video below to see just how easy it is.
Remember that all new filters come in a plastic wrapper. Be sure to remove this packaging before installing your new filter into the unit.
The Core 600S cleared our test room in 15 minutes
Rapid particulate removal makes the 600S one of the fastest air purifiers we’ve ever tested.
Every air purifier featured on HouseFresh undergoes the same clean air speed test.
This is where we fill a 728 cubic foot space with incense smoke and time how long it takes for the unit to reduce levels of PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10.0 ug/m3 to zero, measured using our PurpleAir air quality monitor.
Air cleaning performance test results
The 600S got to work instantly and removed all PM1 particles in just 15 minutes. This time was so fast we had to repeat the test straight after to truly believe the results.
To date, this time makes the Levoit Core 600S the third fastest air purifier we’ve ever tested, beaten only by the Levoit EverestAir ($499.99) and AirDoctor 3500 ($629).
Looking at air purifiers in a similar price range, the 600S beat the Mila, Coway Ap-1512hh and the Bueair Blue Pure 211+, making it the standout option in its class.
Noise levels test results
Sound can be a crucial factor in how often people use their purifiers, with loud and distracting units left to collect dust – and not in a good way.
To help you understand how loud a purifier runs before you purchase, we record the decibels created at its lowest and highest fan speeds.
The Core 600S creates 26 dB when in Sleep mode and peaks at 55 dB at top speed. To put this into perspective, these levels range from the sound of a whisper to the hum of a refrigerator.
These sound levels are similar to other units in its price range, ranking marginally quieter than the Blue Pure 211+ and Winix 5500-2 but not quite as low as the Alen BreatheSmart 75i or Coway Ap-1512hh.
Hearing really is believing when it comes to noise levels, so check out our sound guide below.
The cost to run a Levoit Core 600S: $107.29 per year
Low long-term costs make the 600S a truly cheap investment.
1. Electricity costs = $47.30 per year
Before purchasing a new electrical appliance, it’s always wise to consider how much energy it will use.
After connecting the Core 600S to our energy use monitor, we recorded 44.8 watts when used at its highest speed setting.
This is surprisingly efficient for a powerful unit that delivers a CADR of 410 CFM and 2 air changes per hour in a 1588 ft² space. Even if you used the purifier at top speed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it would cost you less than $4 a month.
2. Filter costs = $59.99 per year
Another key cost to consider is filter replacements. All mechanical filters, like those used in the 600S, have a finite lifespan as they will eventually become saturated with particles and lose efficiency.
Levoit states that their filter will last between 6-12 months if used around the clock. Replacement filters retail at $59.99, which is reasonable considering the level of protection they provide.
In my experience, Levoit’s primary filters meet the upper end of their estimated lifespan if used in the average home, which should cap replacement costs to just 60 bucks a year.
As the 600S is such a popular model, there are plenty of non-branded filters to consider too. Opting for generic filters can save you even more money, with options available for as little as $31.50 per unit.
Bottom line
Unrivalled speed and high-tech features make the Core 600S a steal.
If you’re looking for an air purifier to work in a large room without a huge budget to spend, then the Core 600S is the best option for you.
It delivers clean air quicker than any other unit in its price range and even beats the Alen BreatheSmart 75i and IQAir Healthpro Plus which cost more than double its price tag.
You’ll also find useful features like an Auto mode and app compatibility, while using the purifier incurs low costs, making this unit a great option long into the future.
While it may not be as stylish as the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ or come with a CADR score as high as the Smart Air Blast Mini, it’s hard to overlook the 600S’s value for money and adaptability to the modern home.
SOURCES
We calculated energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energy’s appliance energy calculator. We calculated yearly costs associated with running Levoit Core 600S for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of February 13th, 2024.
